Cider is simply fermented apples (or pears). It’s popular in Somerset (‘scrumpy), Herefordshire and Kent (using sweet dessert apples). So rather than buy in supermarkets, support local indie organic brands. Here are a few of the best!
Check medication before consuming elderflower or rhubarb ciders. Keep cider and all alcohol away from children and pets.
Dunkertons Organic Cider has been making cider for nearly 40 years using traditional skills. The fruit is pressed and fermented for up to a year, using apples from Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The range includes sweet and fresh ciders, Perry (made with pears) and canned and draught ciders.
Never buy beers packed in plastic rings, they are a choking hazard to wildlife, often invisible in water. Peanut the turtle who got entangled and now has to live her life in captivity. E6PR and Biopak sell biodegradable can holders to industry.
Pulp Cider is a nice brand of cider in fruity flavours. Sold in glass bottles or fridge-friendly cans, everything’s grown within 5 miles of the cider-pressing farm. You can also buy kegs for festivals and pubs. Flavours include apple, raspberry and rhubarb and there’s also a low-alcohol apple cider. Everything’s made fresh, never from concentrate.
älska Cider (Sweden) was created on a sunny terrace in Stockholm. This is a unique modern fruit cider in strawberry lime or Nordic berries (tastes like a Swedish summer – raspberries, blueberries and blackberries). Plus there are alcohol-free berry and lemon versions.
hot plant-based cider recipes
This apple cider margarita (Crowded Kitchen) is sweetened with maple syrup. It contains orange liqueur and a cinnamon sugar rim. Most tequila does not have a ‘worm in the bottle’ but avoid its cousin mezcal, which may not be vegan-friendly.
Maple Bourbon Cider Cocktail (Crowded Kitchen) is ‘autumn in a glass’ with light crisp sweet notes and a caramel taste, for a unique seasonal cocktail.
